When chemical spills or other toxic environmental accidents occur, professionals will employ HAZWOPER training to protect workers, the public, and the environment. Short for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard, HAZWOPER is a set of regulations that dictate the proper ways to analyze, isolate, and cleanup a dangerous site. To shed more light on this important aspect of work and environmental safety, here are a few basic points to know.

What Are the Regulations?

If your site has hazardous materials, you're required to comply with OSHA's HAZWOPER regulations. These rules apply to employers and employees who are involved in hazardous waste operations and emergency response, including workers who clean up spills, handle hazardous waste, and transport hazardous materials.

The HAZWOPER regulations are divided into several sections:

• General Site Operations: These regulations apply to all hazardous waste sites and cover topics such as site characterization, emergency response planning, and personal protective equipment.
• Emergency Response: These regulations apply to employers and employees who respond to hazardous materials emergencies. They cover topics such as training, hazard assessment, and emergency procedures.
• Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities: These regulations apply to facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste. They cover topics such as facility design, operation, and maintenance.

What Is the Training Process?

HAZWOPER training is divided into several levels, depending on the employee's role and responsibilities:

• Awareness: This level is for employees who work in areas where hazardous materials are used or stored but don't handle them directly. They need to be aware of the hazards and how to respond in case of an emergency.
• Operations: This level is for employees who handle hazardous materials directly. They need to know how to use personal protective equipment, how to contain spills, and how to decontaminate themselves and their equipment.
• Technician: This level is for employees who respond to hazardous materials emergencies. They need to know how to identify hazards, how to use specialized equipment, and how to coordinate with other responders.
• Specialist: This level is for employees who have specialized knowledge or skills related to hazardous materials. They may be chemists, engineers, or other professionals who provide technical support during emergency responses.

The training process includes both classroom instruction and hands-on training. Employers are also required to provide refresher training annually and whenever there's a change in job responsibilities or procedures.

Specializing in groundwater sampling, well monitoring, and soil screening, GeoTek Alaska offers a wide variety of services that follow HAZWOPER standards. These highly trained professionals use advanced tools to analyze the extent of site contamination and assist with cleanup procedures that comply with regulations. To learn more about these services, visit this geotechnical drilling contractor online or contact the Anchorage, AK, office at (907) 569-5900.